I'll Keep Protecting My Little Brother, Always

"I have nothing left to teach you."

When those words reached his ears, Arata felt no joy at having graduated. Instead, he felt an inexplicable loss, one he hadn't experienced in a long time.

It was like his past life in the orphanage, watching the children around him get adopted one by one while no one ever wanted to take him away.

Though the lessons had only lasted half a month,

Shisui's meticulous explanations, his unreserved instruction, and his punctual appearances every day, yawning as he arrived, had greatly changed Arata's impression of him.

He no longer resented Shisui so much for stopping him from killing Itachi, either.

Shisui had only wanted to protect his best friend.

That was all.

"I..."

Arata opened his mouth, wanting to say something.

But truly, truly, apart from thanking him, he had no idea what to say.

For years, he had been completely immersed in training. He wasn't good at socializing with others at all.

"All right."

Shisui saw how awkward Arata was and waved a hand, cutting off whatever he'd wanted to say.

Saying or hearing sentimental words was difficult for anyone in the Uchiha Clan.

"I've spoken with the Council of Elders, too. Starting tomorrow, you can return to the clan's training grounds. The little brats like Naiki have already been sternly reprimanded by Elder Yashiro."

He added,

After all, the training grounds in the clan compound had targets, wooden posts, and all kinds of terrain set up, which would certainly help with training.

"No."

But after hearing that, Arata decisively shook his head in refusal.

If Shisui hadn't taught him ninjutsu, practical combat, and tracking techniques, he would have continued honing his abilities at the training grounds.

The threat from Root last time was still fresh in his mind.

But now, the knowledge Shisui had given him, combined with the daily training he'd kept up for five years, was worth two or three months of training on his own.

What he needed now was practical combat—real experience!

"You mean...?"

Shisui Uchiha furrowed his brow slightly. It seemed he'd guessed what Arata was thinking.

"Yeah. I want to take missions."

Arata nodded firmly.

"But this is peacetime. Unless you're a jōnin, you can't operate alone. Newly graduated ninja have to be assigned to a team to carry out missions."

Shisui agreed with Arata's thinking, too.

Training was all just theory. Only actual combat could help someone grow quickly. During wartime, young Genin of six or seven were even used as Chunin by the various villages!

The situation now was much better, and the missions assigned to Genin were far safer. With the clan having stepped in to hold people accountable, Danzo wouldn't be able to pull another stunt anytime soon.

Otherwise, Fugaku, the clan head, would have to make a forceful decision, even if it meant staking the clan's reputation.

But if Arata wanted to go on missions, finding a team would be awkward.

At present, the boy's reputation in the clan was sharply divided. The Military Police Force members, who had long been unhappy with Anbu, approved of Arata. They'd have no problem assigning someone to be his team leader.

But finding teammates his age would be difficult.

The little brats led by Naiki were still hostile toward him.

As for finding peers from other clans...

Not long ago, this kid had beaten up a whole training ground full of Genin!

It would be lucky if those kids didn't hold a grudge against Arata. And he expected them to go on missions together? Give me a break!

Shisui felt a headache coming on.

"Mm-hmm. Don't worry about me, Shisui-niisan."

"I'll handle everything myself."

Noticing Shisui's concern, Arata spoke earnestly.

"But..."

Shisui furrowed his brow, still wanting to say something. After all, the village had its rules, and there was no way a little kid could change them.

"If I can't handle something this small on my own, how can I even talk about protecting the clan?"

Arata added softly.

Besides, Yu Zhi had other plans, too.

If the village wouldn't give him missions, he'd take them elsewhere—to the Daimyo Palace in the Land of Fire, the Underground Bounty Station, or the small villages nearby.

Most importantly, the Uchiha Clan still carried a fearsome reputation, and to many outsiders, awakening the Sharingan was a mark of strength!

"Mm. I'm relieved you're so determined. I guess I was worrying too much."

Shisui scratched his head awkwardly, smiling with relief like a big brother next door.

"I really wish I had a little brother like you. I'd be proud of you wherever you went!"

Looking at the thoughtful boy before him, he spoke from the heart.

But then,

"Mm, I feel the same way."

"Big brother."

Arata replaced the title he'd used before.

It wasn't empty flattery. He called him that sincerely, from the bottom of his heart.

These past few days, he'd been trying to figure something out.

What should he call the young man who'd taught him ocular techniques and explained all kinds of practical combat skills?

Teacher?

Senior?

Just another "big brother," the way you could call anyone?

None of those seemed to express what Arata felt.

But when Shisui Uchiha said, "I really wish I had a little brother like you," Arata found his answer.

"Big brother."

"Isn't this what having a big brother feels like?"

He'd heard that Shisui's parents had also died in the war, and that Shisui had been living alone for a very, very long time.

When he heard Arata call him that, Shisui froze.

He reflexively rubbed his ears, as if he thought he'd misheard.

He clearly remembered the day Arata had been forced to come here. Though the boy had tried hard to hide it, how could Shisui, with his experience, have missed the bone-deep coldness and hostility?

But now...

"Big brother."

Arata called him again at just the right moment.

This time, he sounded even more certain.

Shisui's eyes reddened, apparently because the wind and sand at the cliff's edge were too strong.

He'd once been deeply envious of the bond between Itachi and Sasuke.

But he'd never imagined that his envy would come true today.

And Arata was much stronger than Sasuke, too!

"Yeah."

He wiped his eyes and answered softly.

Having a little brother felt wonderful~

"All right, it's getting late. Hurry home. Since you've made up your mind, you should prepare properly. There isn't much more I can do to help you."

After his emotions had settled, Shisui said with a smile.

It seemed all the worries weighing on his heart had vanished with that one word.

Arata, however, wasn't nearly as optimistic as Shisui. He spoke solemnly. "Big brother, be careful of Konoha High Command, especially whoever's behind Root."

He had never forgotten what would happen to Shisui.

"I've always been careful. Don't worry."

Shisui replied lightly, smiling from ear to ear. He was clearly delighted by the new title.

But Arata wasn't in the mood to joke with him. He frowned in displeasure and glared at Shisui. This damn big brother hadn't realized how serious things were at all!

"Yeah, yeah, I surrender. I promise!"

"I'll definitely, definitely keep an eye on Danzo's actions."

"Because I still have to protect my little brother, always, always!"

Shisui raised both hands in surrender, his smile growing even wider.